When Rich and Carol were members of Zion Lutheran Church, Harvester, MO, it was the tradition of the congregation to solicit devotional thoughts from the members to be published in an "After Easter" devotional booklet distributed to all members.
Rich wrote this devotional for the booklet in April, 2015.
Rich wrote this devotional for the booklet in April, 2015.
I Am Not Ashamed
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes – Romans 1:16
On Palm Sunday, 1962 I knelt in front of the altar to make my Confirmation vow to “Suffer all, even death rather than turn away from this Christian faith.” Pastor Lehman then gave me my LIFE verse – Romans 1:16.
Over the years I have been tempted to renounce my vow as I faced ridicule from peers, chronic and serious illness, death of loved ones, disappointments and sorrows. Temptations linked together to strangle my soul in hopelessness. When I recalled my LIFE verse the chains of hopelessness were broken and replaced by the hope of salvation.
At no time in my life was I tempted greater than when I fell in Erfurt, Germany, and shattered my shoulder. The language barrier made it impossible to accurately communicate the excruciating pain I was experiencing.
As I lay in the alone dark, my medicated mind drifted into a vision. I saw Satan in Hell, beckoning me to join him. Thousands of tormented souls urged me to give up and give in – to abandon hope and join them. The promise of leaving this pain filled world behind was very tempting.
Just as I was ready to succumb I saw a small light being carried to me. The light grew brighter and brighter until it filled the room. The Gospel light was placed in my hand, destroying Hell, easing the pain and bringing peace. I feel asleep clutching the hope of salvation.
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.” The comfort of eternal life is for everyone.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of the Gospel. We pray that all would know the comfort of this hope. We ask to be the voice that brings this hope to others. In Jesus name. Amen
On Palm Sunday, 1962 I knelt in front of the altar to make my Confirmation vow to “Suffer all, even death rather than turn away from this Christian faith.” Pastor Lehman then gave me my LIFE verse – Romans 1:16.
Over the years I have been tempted to renounce my vow as I faced ridicule from peers, chronic and serious illness, death of loved ones, disappointments and sorrows. Temptations linked together to strangle my soul in hopelessness. When I recalled my LIFE verse the chains of hopelessness were broken and replaced by the hope of salvation.
At no time in my life was I tempted greater than when I fell in Erfurt, Germany, and shattered my shoulder. The language barrier made it impossible to accurately communicate the excruciating pain I was experiencing.
As I lay in the alone dark, my medicated mind drifted into a vision. I saw Satan in Hell, beckoning me to join him. Thousands of tormented souls urged me to give up and give in – to abandon hope and join them. The promise of leaving this pain filled world behind was very tempting.
Just as I was ready to succumb I saw a small light being carried to me. The light grew brighter and brighter until it filled the room. The Gospel light was placed in my hand, destroying Hell, easing the pain and bringing peace. I feel asleep clutching the hope of salvation.
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.” The comfort of eternal life is for everyone.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of the Gospel. We pray that all would know the comfort of this hope. We ask to be the voice that brings this hope to others. In Jesus name. Amen